It looked like a scene from Casino Royale. Sat round a long floodlit table in the centre of a room packed with onlookers, Tony Blair, Bill Gates, Bono, Thabo Mbeki and others dealt the cards that could determine Africa's future.

Or at least that is how they would like to think of it. There was no doubting the absolute goodwill and enthusiasm of yesterday's Davos panel on Africa's future. But they cannot offer a guarantee of success. The best that they could do was try to act, and hope.

The star of the table was Tony Blair. He might not have Daniel Craig's looks or body but he has put much effort into Africa, the bright side of his international policy, against the dark of Iraq.

He chose his spot at the table, between Bono and Liberia's magnificent president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who was dressed in a bright green turban and glamorous black and white shawl. She spoke eloquently of the need for Africa to develop capacity, not just raise development aid - and called on those present to redeem Liberia's debt. After her performance, they surely will.

The hope of all those who spoke was that Africa, with help, will solve its own problems, building economies, tackling poverty and disease. That is right, and it is happening - although the conversation avoided the sad failures, such as Zimbabwe and it made no mention of China, now investing across Africa.

For Blair this was a farewell tour, a last chance to play one of his greatest hits alongside one of his greatest fans, Bono - who spoke clearly and strongly, and tried to capture some of Africa's greatness as well as its woes.

Germany has the presidency of the G8 now and Japan has it next: both countries' representatives promised to continue the work. Africa deserves it.

It would not be hard to sneer at this evening's session, hot air and aging hopes from rockers and a retiring prime minister. But Gates has put money into this, Mbeki and Sirleaf are building competent governments and economies.

Nothing was decided: the event was simply a symbol that the fight for Africa will outlast Blair.